Friday 19 November 2010

Roll up roll up...

 Come to my craft fair.

(UPDATE: there would have been a lot more in my etsy shop but my VIRGIN MEDIA BROADBAND is behaving appallingly and I keep losing  things halfway through listing. Meanwhile there are one or two new things and some I listed have sold)

Its reassuringly expensive.
Or is it? I saw a truly horrible and badly made felt brooch in a shop last year for £25.
Mine are nowhere near as expensive as that and are made very carefully indeed.

My tree hasn't been painted but I thought, in view of my second 'we regret you have not been chosen' in two weeks I have decided to have my own Craft fair right here on my blog. (Well I was rather snotty when I outlined my proposals for presenting my work so I suppose I deserve it)
I am not one for hanging around where I'm not wanted so I'm sticking to where I seem to be appreciated (Thanks) .

 I am now in possession of some lovely things I discovered only recently, called 'pad bails.' I ordered some which were very cheap from a seller in China. I think they put them in a bottle and dropped them in the sea because it was 19th October when I clicked 'buy now' and they still haven't arrived.
However I got some in three days from a UK business.
They enable the making of pendants very simply so I've made  pendants from some of my felt shapes.  The necklace part is composed of 4 cords and an organza ribbon and as far as I can, I have matched the colours.
(The three on the right are now SOLD. I haven't put the other one in my esty shop yet )
 These leaf shapes below are awaiting transformation into brooches or pendants..oh sorry, the middle one on the top row is already a pendant on a purply necklace. You can see it on the tree in the second picture.
 I like this one below, it reminds of a little fat bird. (Oooh little fat bird...rings a bell)
SOLD
 So here is a lovely pale duck egg flower on matching cord, and there's even a matching purse.
These will be appearing in my etsy shop soon.

But it takes time..listing.

All the stock I have on one side for Craft fairs is going into my shop.

I feel strangely liberated , not having to produce vast amounts speculatively, and am looking forward to making some more things which have been requested by two Galleries.
Its a funny old world.
One mans meat etc.
I went a bit mad when I made the Harris Tweed order and produced a lot of extra square brooches.
These will be in my etsy shop too. But because listing takes so long, there will be a few at a time. You could always check out the price and then contact me directly.


I have had a bit of a boost lately from Quilting Arts Magazine, who are putting my article with these brooches in, into a free e book available here.
SOLD
 I just have a couple of that type from the article which I couldn't bear to part with available now.

36 comments:

Annie said...

Wow. What a splash of fab colour on this gloomy day. Good luck with sales.
A x

Marigold Jam said...

Every cloud has a silver lining as they say - you will surely see those items flying of the tree - it will be just like autumn won't it?! I must get over and have a look at your on-line shop. Just think no loading stuff into the car to transport it, no standing about waiting for customers to come, no seeing other people's tat selling like hot cakes whilst your beautiful art work stays on the stall (I am sure that wouldn't happen but with your current luck it just might!) Go for it on Etsy - you will do well and any success will be so well deserved.

Jane

Anonymous said...

I cannot understand why you have been turned down for craft fair selection - their loss - they must be mad - good luck with the 'blog' sale - I also echo exactly the previous comment from marigold jam - therefore pity me, I still have 8 craft fairs to do

Celia Hart said...

The two Christmas Market/Craft Fairs I've attended so far both had empty stands where people didn't show up!

A funny old world indeed.

Sales very unpredictable at the fairs too - hey ho! Just have to take up the opportunities that are there.

Your work is so colourful and tweed and velvet is so this season my dear!

Good luck with the galleries and etsy.
Celia
x

Karen said...

good for you!!

Karen said...

and....it's their loss...

Heather said...

I think too many craft fair customers want something for nothing and are not willing to pay a fair price for something original. You should do far better in galleries and on-line - I wish you every success. The leaf brooches are gorgeous as are all your pieces.

Mary Welsh Hubbard said...

They must be idiots for not choosing your things for the shows. The pendants are a great idea. They look beautiful.

Elderberry-Rob said...

I love your work and am hopeful of owning a piece by Chrismas! I think people who run craft shows are not aware of the amount of time/skill/materials taken in work like ours. Your work does really need showcasing, Etsy should do the job well enough. xxx

Elderberry-Rob said...

oops that sounds a bit full of myself - I meant to say work like yours actually but mine takes ages too!

silverpebble said...

You make me laugh. You make my eyes happy. Your tree is genius. It will be leafless in no time.

Fiona said...

I so know I'll be buying one soon.

Susie Hewer said...

Hi Jackie,

I came across your blog a few weeks ago when I was searching for something or other and I keep meaning to comment so here I am at last!

Your work really resonates with me as the images you use and your style remind me so much of the patterns and images that I loved when growing up (we must be a similar age!). The things you produce are so very beautiful and I adore your colours too. I love hearts and they always pop up in my own craftwork so I am especially drawn to them.

I couldn't believe it when you wrote about White Coppice as I used to go there with my parents to watch the cricket and I'd go scrambling over the rocks. I grew up in Heath Charnock, which no-one down here in East Sussex has ever heard of so I always say I come from Chorley which I see is where you live. Or did I see Brinscall mentioned somewhere in an older post?

Good luck with your sale - I'm pretty sure you'll soon have empty shelves.

Susie

Twiglet said...

So many lovely items. The pendants look so pretty too. I hope Etsy works well for you. Wipso and I are taking our stuff to Montgomery craft fair on the 27th Nov. Fingers crossed!!

Jane said...

Well, we're enjoying your craft show and I don't have to go out in the cold and struggle with parking - love the pendants, really good idea.

Pam said...

Yay! for you Jackie. I'm sure you'll sell well at your own little fair! I'm still waiting for that one that calls to me. and it will one day! I'm heading over there now to have a squizz! Do you think it would make it here in time for Christmas? Mmmm might be pushing it hey?
Marigold Jam makes a very good point too. These are all the reasons I've stopped doing craft markets.
All your pieces here are divine.
Much good luck with your fair! :)) xoxo

Highland Monkey's said...

Your work is so gorgeous. I love the colours that you have chosed in each piece.

Rachel said...

I have no idea what the Craft Fair people are looking for.

You go, girl!

Victoria said...

Excuse my bluntness, but screw those craft fairs! Your work is splendid and you don't need them to show or sell. Also, I am blown away at how much work you produce. I am just not stitching fast these days, (slow as snails is more like it) and really need to step up my game. You inspire and delight, and you should feel mighty proud of yourself!

Aileen Clarke Crafts said...

Hi Jackie. I know that feeling of being strangely liberated when not having to make speculativley for fairs. I've had more events this year thanin other years and it can be a bit of a bind. Making for galleries and your own online shops is great. I sell more through galleries and shops than anywhere else and they get to know what sells and ask for more of that and it keeps a nice rhythym going with time inbetween for new ideas.I absolutely love your pendants. Totally my kind of thing. I think jewellery shoud be 'seen'. I've never been one for fiddley little things on chains. I might have to prchase a flower. I love the colours of the Stunning Leaf shape in pinks and purples but love the flower shape. But I've ordered a new pair of boots in a peacock blue colour and may buy more blue colothes to match and therefore prefer the blue flower....if it's still there when my boots get here.....I think they may be travelling by the same route as your bails! Decisions, decisions. I'll be getting something though : )

Karen Turner said...

How could anyone turn down these glorious creations? They are really gorgeous, and beautifully made. Really, it's their loss. I see a few other people have said that, and it's true. Keep on keeping on :-)

WendyCarole said...

wonderfull wonderful work if I had spare money I would treat my self. I have downloaded the ebook and I am just going to read your article.

Lorraine said...

Judging from this post, looks as if you have been VERY busy! All are lovely.

Anonymous said...

These are just gorgeous! And I understand your obsession with the needle and thread. I have it too. It's incurable! I also make brooches but with batiks and beads. Yours are so beautiful. I love them!
I will be adding you to my list of favorites because I'd love for my followers to find you too.
Happy Thanksgiving from the USA to you!
Diane

lilylovekin said...

Just what I needed to look at, bright beautiful felts on a rainy cold day.

A time to dance said...

I love your tree Jackie, the leaves look wonderfull on it...cant wait to meet up again, you choose a venue and we will be there...I have lost 9lbs now! hurray!

menopausalmusing said...

Like others, I am hoping your stuff flies off like the leaves off a tree......... its all very, very beautiful....

Becca said...

Lovely, lovely work! I just came over from Diane Knott's blog, and so glad I did! I love to embroider also, but I can't do anything like this. I will however, come over again for some beautiful inspiration! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Sorry you got turned down by idiotic craft fair people. I love your Harris tweed stuff - and your fabulous leaves.

I so relate to the tedium of listing on Etsy....

Createology said...

Just found your blog to follow from Diane Knotts Musings.
Your leaves are magnificent. Happy creating...

The Coffee Lady said...

And I would have loved to say hello...

jackie said...

I saw your article in the free e-book, you are officially 'famous'.

I have put your link to the Flickr group on my blog.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

How on earth do you find the time to make so many beautiful things? Hope your craft fair is a huge success and least you won't have to go and sit in a drafty hall all day to sell the same amount :o)

ps. my new computer is lovely and so fast. I am whizzing all round the internet and the colours are zingy. Realised I was going round in a bit of slow blur before ...

Jillayne said...

Diane Knott sent me over and I am so glad she did - what beautiful work you do! I've never seen anything like it - it's the craft fair's loss, I say.
I have read through a few posts and really like your blog - I'll definitely be back!

Rosie said...

I know this feeling SO well as I used to do a lot of craft fairs years ago. It was very disheartening to see people queue up for naff, badly made things while ignoring my beautifully and lovingly produced goodies. I also agree that listing individual things for sale is very BORING, which may be why I never get around to it .....

Maggi said...

Saw you work in the e-book, an excellent piece.



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